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Auto alternatives for the 21st centuryFri, 31 Jul 2015 13:14:21 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.2Québec’s First Quick-Charge Station Now In Servicehttp://www.hybridcars.com/quebecs-first-quick-charge-station-now-in-service/
http://www.hybridcars.com/quebecs-first-quick-charge-station-now-in-service/#commentsFri, 29 Nov 2013 05:00:02 +0000http://www.hybridcars.com/?p=97921The Electric Circuit has added to its EV charger network Québec’s first 400 volts fast-charge station. The charging station is installed at the St-Hubert restaurant in Boucherville, which is located at 500, rue Albanel; the fast-charger is now accessible to drivers of all-electric vehicles with quick-charging capability. “The Electric Circuit is delighted to diversify its […]

The charging station is installed at the St-Hubert restaurant in Boucherville, which is located at 500, rue Albanel; the fast-charger is now accessible to drivers of all-electric vehicles with quick-charging capability.

“The Electric Circuit is delighted to diversify its range of services and to be adding a first fast-charge station to the existing network of some two hundred and thirty 240 volts stations,” said Pierre-Luc Desgagné, Hydro Québec’s Vice-President – Public and Government Affairs. “So far, the Electric Circuit is Québec’s only public charging network to offer this type of charging, which is intended for specially equipped all-electric vehicles.”

The network said for an introductory period, quick charging will be offered at the same rate as 240 volts charging, which is currently a flat fee of $2.50 per charge, no matter how long it takes.

The Electric Circuit said it will eventually revise the rate.

To use the fast-charge station, EV drivers must first obtain an Electric Circuit card, which drivers can get by visiting www.theelectriccircuit.com.

The Electric Circuit said it would like to underscore the fact that the St-Hubert restaurant in Boucherville, where this first fast-charge station was originally installed for test purposes and is now permanently located, has worked very closely with the team on this project. The charging station being put into service today has been used over the last year for running quick-charge tests under real conditions in Boucherville, as part of what The Electric Circuit qualifies as an extensive all-electric vehicle demonstration project.

The Electric Circuit also explained that in ideal conditions (mild temperature, 15°C [59°F], and low initial charge), a fast charge to 80 percent of battery capacity will take only about 30 minutes for most all-electric vehicle. With cold temperatures in the winter, it can take significantly longer to charge an EV at a 400 volts charging station, unlike a 240 volts station, which is not as affected by ambient temperature.

“The fast-charge service is offered in addition to the 240-V charging service and it will significantly strengthen our network by enabling us to meet all EV charging needs,” noted Mr. Desgagné.

The Electric Circuit took this occasion to reveal conclusions of the 30 all-electric vehicle field trial conducted between December 2010 and June 2013. They include the satisfaction of the participants and organizations involved, who, per the network, very much appreciated their driving experience with close to half of them purchasing an EV at the end of the testing program. The participants of the pilot project felt that home charging was sufficient for most trips and many of them felt an EV could be used as a household’s primary vehicle, all year round.

The Hydro-Québec pilot project in Boucherville was the largest all-electric vehicle field trial ever carried out under real conditions in Canada. Conducted in partnership with the City of Boucherville and Mitsubishi Canada, the program tracked the driving habits and behavior of 31 motorists from 27 organizations.

The Electric Circuit said the 31 drivers traveled approximately 740,000 kilometers (459,814.68 miles) in total, which means that the atmosphere was spared around 104 tons of greenhouse gases.